Thiruvananthapuram: In a bold move to elevate Kerala’s industrial footprint on the global stage, Industries Minister P. Rajeev has sought central government approval for two major international visits to China and Switzerland, costing an estimated ₹14 crore. The visits aim to attract foreign investments and promote Kerala as a global business destination.
The first trip is scheduled from June 24 to 26 in Tianjin, China, where Rajeev will lead a delegation including the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary for Industries, and senior KSIDC officials to attend a meeting aligned with the World Economic Forum. The second visit is planned for January 2026 to Davos, Switzerland, for the annual WEF summit.
These international engagements are part of Kerala’s strategic effort to court global investors and showcase the state’s industrial strengths. A similar trip to Davos last year reportedly cost over ₹5 crore and followed a format involving global branding through an international marketing agency.
However, the green light from the Centre is still pending. Notably, the Union government had previously denied permission for a delegation to attend a panel in the U.S. on Kerala’s ‘Samrambhaka Varsham’ (Entrepreneurship Year) initiative.
Despite the delay, the state government remains firm on the importance of these visits in driving industrial growth and positioning Kerala as a dynamic, investor-friendly destination on the world map.
